Nutrition Counseling

Nutrition Services Topics

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We provide individual counseling with a registered dietitian nutritionist for all nutrition-related conditions. A referral from a physician is not required to see a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), but having a referral may increase chances of getting insurance reimbursement. The dietitian will communicate with your MD if you have a referral.

The cost to see an RDN varies depending on time spent with the dietitian. The dietitian will be able to give you more specific information about the cost of the consult. Generally, visits will last 60 minutes. To be most effective, a minimum of three visits with a dietitian are recommended. Insurance coverage for Medical Nutrition Therapy depends on the insurance company. We will bill your insurance company and we recommend that you call and ask about your coverage ahead of time. Most SelectHealth plans reimburse up to 5 visits a year for a majority of health conditions.

Prepare For Your Visit

Dietitians are trained to examine your eating habits, including where, when and what you eat. They then individualize the meal plan and nutrition counseling to help you be successful in making difficult lifestyle changes. The more information you can provide to the dietitian, the more help they can give you.

Since most of us do not remember what we ate yesterday, keeping a food record for a week and bringing it to your appointment is very helpful to the dietitian. Simply record everything you eat or drink and include time of day and portions if possible.

Credentials

A RDN is the nutrition expert in the healthcare arena. An RDN has completed an accredited dietetics program at a university, passed a national exam and has a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. While the title “Dietitian” can only be used by a person who has met these stringent requirements, the title “Nutritionist” is not defined—anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of their training or lack thereof.

RDNs are trained in Medical Nutrition Therapy, which includes nutrition care for hospitalized patients as well as healthy individuals. We have an experienced and diverse team of RDNs at Intermountain Healthcare. Many have specialty credentials that signify advanced training and experience. The specialty credentials include Certified Diabetes Educator, Certified Nutrition Support Clinician, Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition, Certified Specialist in Sports Nutrition, and Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management.

Intermountain Healthcare is a Utah-based, not-for-profit system of 23 hospitals, a Medical Group with more than 1,600 physicians and advanced practice clinicians at about 180 clinics, a health plans division called SelectHealth, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in clinical quality improvement and in efficient healthcare delivery.